And on the way home I turn to Shuffle to find some music to cover my
bases. It's raining ever so lightly, and there's still snow and ice
covering the walk, turning it slippery. An hour ago it was dusk. A month
ago, it'd have been deep night at this time, now it was just night.
Dark, but my eyes manage.

As I stomp my way through town, intent only on getting more distance
behind me, I notice the complete lack of people. They're all hiding from
the rain, even in this early spring. But the road is walkable, and my
coat protects me.

And then it comes, the familiar beat in my left ear, anxiety, the weak
shiver, the urge to turn, avoid the person walking across the road, even
though he's already way out of my path. I lean forwards into the beat
and move onwards.

The music fades, and then a familiar beat comes in, punctuated with
guitars and a bassline, twist, beat changing again, to something
slightly faster than I'm comfortable walking. Yet I change my step,
involountarily obeying the music.

...woke up confused in a place I didn't know..
....and heard the hissing of an overused stem..
.....the air around me is corrupt and on the take...